Toyota is Changing the Way We Travel, One Sustainable Concept at a Time

byDalia DaytononSeptember 17, 2015

As anyone who has visited aToyota car dealership can attest, the Japanese automaker has long been a innovator in the automotive industry. Toyota Motor Company is the top automaker in the world, and has brought impressive vehicles to mass market, such as its electric Prius.

Toyota has long been committed to building designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicles for the way people live, and that commitment is stronger now, than it ever has been before. After news surfaced that the Japanese motor company recently filed an application with the U.S. patent office for flying car technology, a new kind of innovation from the company is on display in Orlando.

Driving the Future of Mobility

After a twenty year developmental process, Toyota Motor Company has created its first, and long-awaited, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The sedan, named the Mirai, is featured at the Excellence in Journalism EIJ15 Conference at the Orlando World Center Marriott from September 18 through the 20.

The Mirai will be the only vehicle interactive display at the conference, and will be featured in the Marriott World Center’s large central atrium. Top figures from the press will be in attendance, but a special credential badge won’t be the only ticket to see the Mirai. Resort guests will also have an opportunity to experience this piece of automotive history first hand. Toyota representatives who are specialists in the brand new Mirai sedan, will give attendees a personalized walk-through of the interactive display.

Meet the Toyota Mirai

The Toyota Mirai is the first vehicle that is fueled solely with hydrogen. The vehicle, which is being touted as an automotive breakthrough, can be filled with hydrogen in about five minutes. The EPA-estimated range is expected to be around 312 miles per fill, with a total estimated fuel economy of 67 miles per gallon equivalency.

Aside from saving drivers thousands of dollars at the pump, the Toyota Mirai hydrogen sedan represents much more than a cost savings. The hydrogen cell technology allows for a emissions of only water vapor, which in turn will save the environment from a lot of traditional gasoline fumes.

Those drivers who decide to own the Toyota Mirai when it becomes available, will also appreciate its multi-functioning capabilities. During a power outage, the Mirai is capable of powering a small home for nearly an entire week. Whether that means a simple power outage, or an emergency – the Toyota Mirai is engineered to perform in more than one way.

How Does a Fuel Cell Vehicle Work?

It took twenty years for Toyota to create a vehicle capable of mass production, that runs on fuel cell technology. So, what is it? On its most basic level, a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place, generates electricity, and powers a motor. Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly renewable energy source, that can be produced from a wide range of raw materials.

High-pressure hydrogen tanks, a drive battery, FC boost converter, FC stack, power control unit, and a motor are the basic principles beneath a fuel cell vehicle. The Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System, which combines fuel cell technology explained above, with its hybrid technology. The result? A zero emissions vehicle with performance on par with conventional gasoline engines, impressive cruising range, and a three-minute fill up time.

A Look at Toyota as an Innovative Leader

If flying cars and hydrogen-powered sedans are any indication of what Toyota is capable of creating, there is truly no telling where the future of the automotive giant’s technology will take us next. Toyota Motor Company never been shy about its desire to create relevant vehicles that consumers will want to drive. But beyond that, the company has a vision to take “…great steps to develop eco-cars which will help us become a low carbon society.”

Toyota is a company that invests in future generations through their innovation, vision, and sustainability efforts. Explore below to discover some of the ways that Toyota Motor Company is staying on the forefront of emerging automotive technology, and pioneering the way we get around.

Creating a More Responsible Way to Drive

Toyota has a complete lineup of environmentally friendly vehicles. They have long paved the way for other automotive giants, and is the clear leader of the green-movement automotive “pack.” Check out some of the vehicles currently available that help leave less of an impact on Earth, without negatively impacting the way we drive.

Hybrid System – Toyota’s full hybrid system is one of the most popular of its kind in the world. Toyota’s system is different than other automakers, in that it combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine, to create one of the most efficient vehicles in the world. Drivers save fuel and lower their emissions, without sacrificing power or performance. The Toyota Prius is the most widely recognizable hybrid vehicle in the world, and was one of the first of its kind to be put to the mass market.

Electric System – Toyota’s small electric vehicle runs entirely on electricity. This advanced technology allows drivers to charge their vehicle from a regular outlet at home. The Toyota iQ EV has a spacious interior, with room for four adult passengers.

Plug-In Hybrid – Drivers can use a external power source to charge their vehicle, which features increased battery life. A standard household outlet is all it takes to charge this hybrid, which also features a gasoline motor for longer distances.

Fuel Cell Vehicle – Hydrogen is one of the most abundant resources on earth, and Toyota is working hard to harness that energy to fuel its vehicles. These zero emissions cars feature a smooth ride, unique performance, and an aerodynamic ride.

Keeping on Top of Changing Needs

Toyota is currently developing new forms of transportation on a daily basis. The Japanese automaker realizes that as times change, so must the mode of transportation. Realizing this, Toyota has made it their mission to stay ahead of those changing times.

The i-Road is Toyota’s newest concept in urban mobility, and seeks to combine the traditional car, with that of a motorcycle. The small size of the i-Road provides city drivers with the perfect solution for driving down crowded urban streets, and only needs a parking space that is a quarter of a normal car. The i-Road is made to drive like a motorcycle, with the stability of a car. The roof overhead makes driving safer, and keeps passengers out of the element. The best part of the i-Road is that it is completely powered by a lithium-ion battery.

Other concepts in the making include the Toyota i-Unit, i-Swing, and i-Real. These vehicles promote the same concept of innovative automotive advancements, and represent the changing dynamic of the automotive industry.

What’s Next?

While vehicles like the Toyota i-Road are marketed mainly in European countries, the innovation and technological advancements made by Toyota are undeniable. The company’s endless pursuit to create more environmentally friendly vehicles, and ultimately reduce the overall carbon footprint, is what makes Toyota an automotive company worth checking out.

Drivers here in the United States and around the world are sure to see plenty of
innovation from the Japanese automotive giant in the years to come.